Jim Kaat’s induction Sunday into the Hall of Fame raises a long-running issue.
How do you weigh career value against peak value? How big do career numbers have to be before a player is as Hall-worthy as someone with a shorter stretch of MVP-level performance?
And are there any other former Chicago pitchers who might follow Kaat’s path, waiting nearly 40 years for enshrinement?
Kaat was one of seven players inducted Sunday, and three have a Chicago connection. Minnie Miñoso, the major leagues’ first Black Latin player, starred for the White Sox. Longtime Negro Leagues player and manager Buck O’Neil was a Cubs scout and coach.